A science lab achievement gave justice a new tool in law courts

From crime to immigration, Sir Alec Jeffreys changed the way we identify individuals

[Steve]

DNA plays a central role in some very important historical, ethical and scientific discussions. DNA is being used to map the history and origin of men. DNA is also being used to diagnose, prevent and treat diseases. But, we see DNA being discussed most often since(??) a large part to popularity and TV murder mystery dramas.

[Chip & Chelsea]

Since the late 1800s, authorities have usedfingerprintsto identify individuals, especially in criminal investigations and other identification-based legalcases (refer to crimes or illegal matters) . But fingerprinting changed forever when England’s Sir Alec Jeffreys discovered a way of identifying individuals using their DNA: DNA fingerprinting.All humans belong to the same species, so the majority/mə‘dʒɔrətɪ/ ofgeneticinformation in people’s DNA is identical ( the same). But certain sections of human DNA – sections that give each individual unique characteristics – vary astronomically from person to person. Discovering these sections in his laboratory on a September morning in 1984, Jeffreys immediately understood their potential, and DNA fingerprinting was born.Lawyers applied the discovery to legal cases almost immediately. The following spring, DNA fingerprinting resolved an immigration case by proving a young boy’s identity as a U.K. citizen. Then in 1986, DNA fingerprinting provided the evidence necessary to prove one man’s innocence and another man’s guilt in a murder case.Since then, this science has helped settlecountless/’kauntləs /cases and investigations – establishing parent-child relationships, putting criminals in jail and freeing those wrongly accused of crimes. Without a doubt, DNA fingerprinting has foreverrevolutionizedthe way we identify people and fight crime.

[Traditional Chinese Translation]

[More Information]

Most criminals know enough to protect their identity by wearing gloves. For police, this means crime scenes are left without useable fingerprints. But now, thanks to the help of science, we know crime scenes are hardly ever left without trace of a criminal’s DNA – in the form of a skin cell, strand of hair or a drop of blood – it’s enough to catch that criminal!

[Ashley & Ken]

A: So, how was Dennis’s wedding?

K: Oh, it was a lot of fun and I did go out in style.

A: Good, I’m glad.

K: Hey, Ashley. I just noticed that you’ve got blue eyes.

A: Yeah, I guess you can say they are in my genes.

K: In your jeans? Ashley, you are not wearing jeans. You are wearing dress pants.

A: No, not those kinds of jeans, Ken. Genes, g-e-n-e-s.

K: Oh, what are genes?

A: Genes are chains of DNA that make proteins in your body. These proteins make up the human body and affect your appearance. They are passed down from your parents’ DNA.

K: So, that’s why you said blue eyes are in your genes.

A: That’s right. You know, people say 「I have my mother’s eyes」.

K: You have your mother’s eyes? But, how can that be?

A: It’s an expression that means my eyes are very similar to my mom’s eyes. And I think another blue eye beauty wants to explain more. Doris.

K: Oh, okay.

D: If you have an ability or tendency that was passed down from your parents, you could say it runs in the family. For instance, if your parents are both teachers and you become a teacher as well you could say teaching runs in your family.

K: Okay, so what runs in your family, Ashley?

A: Well, let’s see. My grandpa, my dad and both of my brothers were in the military. So I guess you can say military service runs in my family, but not for me. I like it here in the library better.

K: Hey, so do I.

A: Speaking of running, I have to run to the office and talk to my boss.

K: Oh, okay.

genes, g-e-n-e-s跟jeans, j-e-a-n-s要分清楚。jeans是blue jeans、牛仔褲，genes是基因，blue eyes are in my genes（我的藍色的眼睛來自我的基因）。另外一種講法是blue eyes run in the family，藍色的眼睛是我們家族的遺傳。

[Liz]

person.astronomy the study of outer spaceastronomically in a big way ( as big as outer space)elephantineEnvironmentalists are worried about the growing number of elephantine resorts appearing along the coastline.herculeanTimothy was given a challenging assignment, and he doubts he can complete this herculean assignment in one day.monstrousThis restaurant is known for their monstrous size sandwiches, which are as big as volleyballs.